Inheritience and Variation - Y10 Flashcards
What does DNA stand for?
Deoxyribonucleic acid
DNA: What does it do?
Contains coded info - instructions that make up an organism so it can work
Where is DNA found?
Nucleus in chromosomes
Structure of a DNA
- Double helix
- Polymer
Whats a gene?
Small section of DNA found on a chromosome
What do genes do?
Each gene codes for a particular sequence of amino acids which are put together to make a specific protein - determined by DNA too which determines what type of cell
How many amino acids are used in genes?
20 but they make up thousands of diff proteins
Whats a genome?
Entire set of genetic material in an organism
Why is the human genome important for science and medicine?
- Allows scientists to identify genes in the genome that are linked to diff types of disease
- Knowing which genes are linked to genetic diseases - helps us make effective treatments
- To trace migration -all humans descended from a common ancestor from Africa. Since ppl moved away, it caused tiny differences in the genome, by investigating these diff scientists can work out when new pops split off and what route they took
What is DNA made out of?
Nucleotides - each n has a sugar and phosphate group (forms backbone) and one “base”
What never changes in DNA?
Phosphate group and sugar molecule
4 bases, and their pairings
A - T
C- G
What is important about the DNA strands?
Complementary base pairing - A with t and C with G
How is each amino acid coded for?
By a sequence of 3 bases in a gene
What do the non coding parts do?
They dont code for proteins, they switch genes on and off, so they control whether or not a gene is expressed (used to make a protein)
Functions of proteins
- Enzymes - biological catalysts that speed up chemical reactions
- Hormones - carry msgs around body
- Structural proteins - are physically strong eg collagen
What is a mutation?
Rnaomd change in an organisms DNA which can sometimes be inherited
What do mutations do?
Change sequence of DNA bases in a gene - produces a genetic variant
How much do mutations acc make a difference?
Most have v little o no effect on the protein, some will change it a bit but function/appearance is unaffected
However, sometimes it can seriously affect a protein and make it lose its function
What happens if the enzymes actives it is changed?
Substarte may no longer bind to it
What happens if a structural protein like collagen is mutated?
Could lose their strength, making them useless
What happens if there is amutation in the non-coding DNA?
Alter how genes are expressed
3 diff types of mutations
Insertations, deletions, substitutions
What are insertations?
- New base inserted into DNA base sequence where it shouldnt be
- Changes way groups of 3 bases are read, changes amino acids that they code for
- Insertations can chnage 1+ aa as they have a knock on effect on the bases further on in the sequence
What are deletions?
- Random base is deleted from dna base sequence
- Changee the way base sequence is read, have knock on effects
What are substitutions?
- Rancom base in DNA base sequence is changed to a diff base
What is s reproduction?
2 organisms genetic info is combines = offspring which are genetically diff to either parent
How many chromosmes in each gamete?
23
What does the mixture of genetic info produce in the offspring?
Variation
What is a reproduction?
Only 1 parents so offspring is genetically identifcal to parent, clones
How does a reproduction happen?
Mitosis
Who reproduces aslly
Bacteria and some plants and animals
Advantages of s rep.
- Provides variation in the offspring - if environment changes, some offspring may survive (gives a species survival advanatge by natural selection)
Advantages of a rep.
- More efficient as 1 parent in needed, saves time and energy, faster
- Genetically identical offspring, good when conditions are favourable
Disadvantages of a rep.
- Could all die if conditions become unfavourable, since theyr’re all genetically identical
How does the malaria parasite reproduce in thhe human host? In the mosquto?
As, however inside the mosquito,parasite uses s rep.
How do fungi repdouce?
- As
- Produce spores
- Can do it s, allowing genetic variation
How do flowering plants rep.?
S, to produce seeds
However, some rep. A like strawberry
How do strawberry plants rep?
- Sends out runners
- When runner touches the soil, it can develop into a genetically indentical plant
How do daffodils rep.?
- A, by bulb division
- Parent plant has an underground bulb, produces buds
- Buds eventually for new offspring plants, genetically indentical
What is polydactyly?
- PPl have extra fingers/toes
- Caused by a dominant allele
- You cant be a carrier of the P allele
What is embryo screening?
- Embryos tested to see if they have alleles for inhertied disorders
- Embryos which dont have the defective alleles are implanted into the woman -> healthy offspring
Issues of embryo screening?
- Expensive, some think money should be spent elsewhere in the health servuce
- Large number of embryos created, small number implanted, some healthy embryos destroyed = unethical
- In future, may be able to produce offspring with desirbale features = unethical
Gene therapy
Scientists correct faulty alleles an use this to treat inhertied disorders
What is cystic fibrosis?
- Disorder of cell membranes
- Caused by recessive c
How many of the chrosome pairs contain the genes which determine inhertited characteristics only?
22, last pair determines gender
Causes of variation
- Alleles inherited
- Environment
- Genes + Environment
What causes genetic variation?
Mutations
What is evolution?
Change in the inherited characteristics of a pop over time through a process of natural selection
How have dogs been selectively bred?
To have a gentle nature